Numerous superheroes and antiheroes that feature in American comic books published by Marvel Comics are referred to as Ghost Riders. Prior to changing the name to Phantom Rider, Marvel had used the term for a Western character. Stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze is the first supernatural Ghost Rider. He promised to devote his soul to “Satan” (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto) in order to save his father’s life. When Blaze is around evil and at night, hellfire consumes his body, turning his head into a blazing skull. He unleashes blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his skeletal hands, and rides a burning motorcycle. He eventually learns he has been bonded with the demon Zarathos. Blaze was featured in the Ghost Rider series from 1972 to 1983.

The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990–1998) featured Danny Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. After his sister was injured by ninja gangsters, Ketch came in contact with a motorcycle that had somehow been mystically enchanted to contain the essence of a Spirit of Vengeance. Blaze reappeared in this 1990s series as a supporting character, and it was later revealed that Danny and his sister were Johnny Blaze’s long-lost siblings. In 2000s comics, Blaze briefly again became the Ghost Rider, succeeding Ketch. In 2014, Robbie Reyes became Ghost Rider as part of the Marvel NOW! initiative.